Health research is stronger when it includes the voices of people with lived experience.
The South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) is inviting community members, carers and families to join its Consumer Registry for Research. By registering your interest, you may be invited to share your experience, contribute to research design or help shape projects that aim to improve health care and services. Joining the registry does not commit you to participating in every opportunity.
At a glance
Organisation
South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS)
Who can participate
Community members, carers and families with lived experience who are interested in contributing to health research.
How to participate
Register your interest through the SMHS Consumer Registry for Research.
Commitment
Joining the registry does not oblige you to participate. You can decide whether each opportunity is right for you.
Who can participate?
The registry is open to people who want to use their lived experience to help improve health research. Consumers provide valuable perspectives that can strengthen research by ensuring projects reflect the needs and priorities of the communities they aim to serve.
What opportunities might you be involved in?
Depending on the project, you may be invited to:
- share feedback and lived experience insights
- join an advisory or working group
- help co-design a research project
- contribute throughout different stages of the research process
SMHS recognises that consumers can play many roles in research, from providing feedback through to collaborating as equal partners or leading aspects of a project.
Why this matters
Research is most meaningful when it reflects the experiences of the people it is designed to support.
The SMHS Consumer Involvement in Research Framework 2024 aims to strengthen partnerships between researchers and consumers by creating opportunities for lived experience to inform research priorities, project design, implementation and outcomes. The framework recognises that consumers are more than research participants. They are valuable partners in shaping better health care.
Alike WA’s perspective
At Alike WA, we know the value that lived experience brings to creating stronger services and healthier communities.
We recently connected with the Research Consumer Advisory Group at Fiona Stanley Hospital and look forward to meeting with the group later this year to share more about Western Australia’s peer support sector and the important role lived experience leadership plays in creating positive change.
Opportunities like this demonstrate how lived experience can help shape research that is more relevant, inclusive and responsive to community needs.
How to register
If you’re interested in contributing to future health research opportunities, you can register your interest with the South Metropolitan Health Service Consumer Registry for Research.
Joining the registry simply means you’re open to hearing about opportunities. You can decide whether to become involved each time you’re contacted. Consumers who accept invitations to participate in research activities are paid for their time in line with SMHS policy.